Glaciation development and interstadial sea-level on central Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Abstract

Above the marine limit in Gangdalen, Nordenskiöld Land, a 2Om thick sequence of unconkolidated sediments occurs. On the top of striated bedrock it is composed of a 2m thick till bed, 15m gravel interpreted to be deposited as a sandur, and another till bed on the top. A solifluction deposit is capping the section. Fabric analyses and erratics in the two tills indicate a similar development in glacial transport directions during the two glaciations. starting with a local glaciation which subsequently turns into a larger glaciation centred over the eastern part of Svalbard. Co-existence of different ice domes over Spitsbergen is suggested. f h e sandur was deposited during an ice free period with a sea-level 40-80 m higher than at present. The section is undated. Above the marine limit in Gangdalen, Nordenskiold Land, a 2Om thick sequence of unconkolidated sediments occurs. On the top of striated bedrock it is composed of a 2m thick till bed, 15m gravel interpreted to be deposited as a sandur, and another till bed on the top. A solifluction deposit is capping the section. Fabric analyses and erratics in the two tills indicate a similar development in glacial transport directions during the two glaciations. starting with a local glaciation which subsequently turns into a larger glaciation centred over the eastern part of Svalbard. Co-existence of different ice domes over Spitsbergen is suggested. f h e sandur was deposited during an ice free period with a sea-level 40-80 m higher than at present. The section is undated.